Champions League Group B Betting Preview

The Champions League is back for the 18/19 season, with the best teams around Europe facing off for the ultimate footballing trophy. There isn’t a clear ‘Group of Death’ this year, but Group B certainly comes close. Tottenham have been drawn against Barcelona, Inter Milan and PSV this year, who could all feasibly challenge to get out of the group. Bet UK look ahead to Group B’s teams this year, so you’re completely up to date for the Champions League returning. Get the latest Champions League betting odds at Bet UK's online sportsbook.

How They Qualified

Tottenham finished 3rd in last season’s Premier League, behind both Manchester clubs. Spurs’ were never really in doubt of not qualifying for the Champions League and remained in the top 4 for the majority of the season. Harry Kane continued his goalscoring exploits with 30 Premier League goals. After now qualifying for the Champions League for 3 years in a row, European nights will be expected at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for years to come.

Best Champions League Campaign

Most of Tottenham’s recent European success has came in the Europa League, however their most memorable Champions League campaign was their first in 2010. Spurs’ managed to reach the quarter finals in their first campaign, the furthest that they have gotten in the competition. A Gareth Bale hattrick at the San Siro, a 3-1 win at home to Inter and a 1-0 win away to AC Milan were the highlights of the year of Spurs fans. A quarter final tie against Real Madrid was a step too far, but a young Tottenham team performed admirably in their debut campaign.

Star Player

Harry Kane - Kane may have been fighting off fatigue in recent weeks, but he is still deadly on his day. The World Cup Golden Boot winner is notoriously slow to get off the mark at the start of the season. After constant football over the last few years however, it looks to be taking effect. This group is a chance for Kane to prove his doubters wrong and score against some of Europe’s toughest defensive teams.

How They Qualified

Barcelona went within 2 games of a completely unbeaten domestic season as they won La Liga last year. The Catalans were top of the table from September until the end of the campaign and never looked like being beaten to the title. A South American front 3 of Messi, Suarez and Coutinho was backed up by World Cup Winner Ousmane Dembele and Paco Alcacer, who both chipped in with a few goals. Ernesto Valverde may not have had the best Barcelona team of recent years, but last season, they were certainly the most dominant in Spain.

Best Champions League Campaign

Barcelona have a number of successful Champions League campaigns to choose from, having won the competition 3 times in the last 10 years. The most impressive win has to be the 2010-11 campaign. A front 3 of Messi, Villa and Pedro dominated Europe, overcoming Arsenal, Shakhtar Donetsk and Real Madrid on the way to the final. At Wembley against Manchester United, all 3 forward players scored in a 3-1 win. Alex Ferguson described the 2011 Barcelona side as the best he had ever faced.

Star Player

Lionel Messi - There is little to be said about Lionel Messi that hasn’t already been said. The Argentine is arguably the greatest player of all time, and is already nearly 200 goals clear as Barcelona’s top scorer. The only record left to break at the Nou Camp is the number of appearances, which will surely be broken before Messi retires. As long as he plays, Barcelona have a chance of winning any match.

How They Qualified

Inter return to the Champions League after 6 years out of the competition. A strong start to the season covered up a poor run over the winter months when Inter went 8 games without a win. Before then, Inter were favourites for the title, especially with Juventus suffering a poor start to the campaign. An 81st minute goal in the last game of the season against Lazio knocked the Roman side out of the Champions League qualification spot, to be replaced by Inter. Inter have took their campaign seriously, and have signed Nainggolan, De Vrij and Vrsaljko to challenge again this year.

Best Champions League Campaign

Under Jose Mourinho, Inter became only the 7th team to win a treble, including Serie A, Coppa Italia and of course, the Champions League. Inter won’t be remembered for playing the most exciting football, instead taking a typical Mourinho approach and focusing on defence. In the knockout stage, Inter only conceded 4 goals and kept a clean sheet in the final against Bayern Munich. Diego Milito was Inter’s main threat up front. The 31 year old had hardly been prolific during his career, but managed 30 goals that season, including 2 in the final.

Star Player

Ivan Perisic - Perisic was one of the Croatia stars that carried the nation to the World Cup final in Russia this summer. The playmaker has been linked with moves away for the last couple of years, but following Inter’s resurgence under Luciano Spalletti, he doesn’t look like moving. Capable of ripping open a defence or scoring from range, Perisic will be Inter’s main outlet throughout the tournament.

How They Qualified

PSV won their 3rd Eredivisie in 4 years last year, after a 3-0 win against Ajax. The Dutch giants dominated the league for the majority of the season. Even with 3 late season draws, there was no way back for either Feyenoord or Ajax. Hirving Lozano, Marco van Ginkel and Luuk de Jong each scored over 12 goals in the league as PSV scored 87 in total. After Ajax’s spell of dominance at the start of the decade, PSV look to be the main threat in Holland again.

Best Champions League Campaign

In recent years, Dutch sides have struggled in European competitions. But back in the 1988, PSV were European Champions. A PSV side managed by Guus Hiddink, and featuring a young Ronald Koeman, overcame Galatasaray and Real Madrid amongst others on their way to the final. Against Benfica in the final, both teams failed to break down their opponents and forced the game to penalties. PSV scored all 6 of their spot kicks and were crowned European Champions, becoming the first Dutch champions in 15 years.

Star Player

Hirving Lozano - After a stellar season at PSV and then an impressive showing at the World Cup, it’s a miracle that the Mexican still remains in Eindhoven. This year, he has enjoyed just as strong of a start with 4 goals in 5 games so far. With pace, skill and finishing all strong areas of his game, Lozano looks like the perfect winger. But after Memphis Depay’s delayed growth after leaving PSV, perhaps he has made the right choice to remain in Holland.

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